Concert Review - M Ward - Napier - 28th February 2025
Presented By The Small Hall Sessions

M Ward live photo credit andrew caldwell
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL M WARD GALLERY BY ROB HARBERS
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: M Ward Sup by Tom Cunliffe
Venue/City: Te Awanga Community Hall, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 28th February 2025
The Small Hall Sessions have delivered many a great experience to their army of followers and tag-alongs. Audiences that are continually held in awe by the acts they witness on a regular basis, and as such are intensely loyal to the concept. However, and this is not to take anything away from the venerable lineup of past performers, tonight the bar was raised by an order of magnitude, one friend remarking that this was one of the best things they’d ever seen! High praise indeed, but an understandable reaction to a spellbinding session by the masterful M. Ward.
This being the most high-profile artist to grace the stages of the Sessions, the night commenced with something relatively rare for the format, in the way of a support act with these duties being performed by Tamaki Makaurau’s Tom Cunliffe. Over 5 songs, he took us on a journey through past interactions and inspirations, with songs that were packed with meaning and intent, communications expressed with admirable clarity and literacy. A worthy, and highly appropriate, introduction to the experience that would follow.
M Ward’s entry to the arena commenced with an intricate instrumental piece, showing his skills on guitar while capturing his audience’s attention from the first minute. And having grabbed it, he wasn’t to let go for another hour and change-segueing quickly into the beautiful love song of ‘Eyes on the Prize’, ‘Fuel For Fire’, with its feel that called to mind ‘Wichita Lineman’, is a great example of the way that so many of these songs call to mind so many others – a riff here, a lyric there – such as ‘I dug beneath the Wall of Sound’. An artist who acknowledges and celebrates what’s laid the tracks for him to follow, and inserts many callbacks, little sonic Easter eggs if you like, dotted through the material to reward the attentive listener.
Or sometimes the links are even less obliquely expressed, such as in his cover of Buddy Holly’s ‘Rave On’, the outro of which saw the introduction of piano over a looped guitar riff, and signalled the move to the piano for a few numbers. ‘Here Comes the Sun Again’ a further example, in title at the very least, of the callback theme, leading into a cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Story Of An Artist’ a treat of wry lyrics and exquisite piano, the crescendo of which triggered a memory of Sigur Ros. ‘Poison Cup’, the ode to full hearted love, closed out with a nicely meaty riff, giving everything, indeed! And then letting it loose again with the evocative ‘The Sandman, The Brakeman, and me’.
Unfortunately, I didn’t catch the name of the next song, and I don’t have enough of a background in this material to know it, but in any case, it contained the beautiful couplet of ‘Holy water underground, tastes more like wine than beer’ true poetry, to these ears at least! But time flies as they say, and next thing the man was leaving the stage, with just a looping guitar riff to recall his presence. That, and the repeated calls for an encore, which saw him return for his version of Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’ the most beautifully languid expression ever of this classic, suggesting the dance to be closer to a slow waltz than dancing the blues! And that was the encore, one and done, leaving us to pick our collective jaw from the floor.
In introduction to this event, Jamie frequently mentioned his long interest in this music, and it wasn’t hard to see why-such experiences are the very apotheosis of the Small Halls Wairua, and leave many memories in the hearts of those fortunate enough to be present. A fantastic guest, another star in the pantheon; I think Jamie may need to rest for a while before trying to come back from such a peak!
Photos By: Ginny Cocks
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Date of Event: Saturday 26th April 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
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Date of Event: Wednesday, 23rd April 2025
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Date of Event: Wednesday 16th April 2025
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Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 9th April 2025
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Date of Event: Friday 21st March 2025
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Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 19th March 2025
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Artist/Band: Hot Potato Band
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 18th March 2025
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Artist/Band: Guitar Wolf SUP by The D4, Nothing At All & Crying Ivy
Venue/City: Double Whammy Bar, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Sunday 16th March 2025
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Artist/Band: The Stranglers
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 13th March 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
Artist/Band: My Baby SUP by Ash Sales
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 6th March 2025
Photos By: Ginny Cocks
Artist/Band: Jinjer Supported by Khadga
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Monday 3rd March 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
Artist/Band: M Ward Sup by Tom Cunliffe
Venue/City: Te Awanga Community Hall, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 28th February 2025
Photos By: Ginny Cocks
Artist/Band: A Day to Remember Supported by Hatebreed
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 25th February 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
Artist/Band: Distance, Myriad Drone Supported by Fvkvshima
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 22nd February 2025
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Artist/Band: Silcrow Supported by Animalhead and Skitch Hiker
Venue/City: Big Fan, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 22nd February 2025
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Venue/City: Ding Dong Lounge, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 8th February 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
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Venue/City: Black Barn, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 31st January 2025
Photos By: Ginny C Photographer
Artist/Band: Wardruna (SUP by Turongo Collective)
Venue/City: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 30th January 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
Artist/Band: Charm of Finches
Venue/City: Te Awanga Hall, Te Awing, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 30th January 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
Artist/Band: South for Winter
Venue/City: Common Room, Hastings, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 24th January 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
Artist/Band: C.W. Stoneking
Venue/City: January Meeanee Memorial Hall, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 23rd January 2025
Photos By: Jason at Synzphoto
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Venue/City: Under the Tauranga Harbour Bridge, Tauranga, New Zealand
Date of Event: Sunday 19th January 2025
Photos By: Leoni Moreland (Courtesy of Red Raven News)
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Venue/City: Rosemary’s, Taupo, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 9th January 2025
Photos By: Andrew Caldwell
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Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 21st December 2024
Photos By: Ginny Cocks
Artist/Band: Highly Suspect (Supported by Rita Mae & Powder Chutes)
Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Sunday 1st December 2024
The Jungle Giants - Auckland - 2nd May 2025
Review By: Leeza E
Artist/Band: The Jungle Giants Support by PARK RD
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event:Friday 2nd May 2025
Review By: Sarah Kidd
Artist/Band: Gracie Abrams Supported by Ashe
Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Review By: Andra Jenkin
Artist: Ben Elton
Venue/City: Sky City Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Review By: Faith Hamblyn
Artist/Band: Supergroove with Troy Kingi, King Kapesi & Rubi Du
Venue/City: Auckland Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 26th April 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: The Bitter Brothers
Venue/City: The Common Room, Hastings, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 26th April 2025
Review By: Faith Hamblyn
Artist/Band: TOTO Supported by Christopher Cross
Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday, 23rd April 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: John Craigie Supported by Kitty Day
Venue/City: Maraekakaho Hall, Hastings, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 19th April 2025
Review By: Sarah Kidd
Artist/Band: Bad Manners
Venue/City: The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 16th April 2025
Review By: Sarah Kidd
Artist/Band: The Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter Sup by The Bleeders
Venue/City: Auckland Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Review By: Annora Gollop
Artist/Band: Dua Lipa
Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: The New Zealand KISS Experience
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 29th March 2025
Review by: Faith Hamblyn
Artist/Band: Kristin Hersh Supported by Jon Muq
Venue/City: The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 21st March 2025
Review By: Riccardo Ball
Artist/Band: Alien Weaponry with support from Shepherd’s Reign
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 21st March 2025
Review By: Sarah Kidd
Artist: Tech N9ne SUP by Joey Cool
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 19th March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Hot Potato Band
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 18th March 2025
Review By: Leeza E
Artist/Band: The Stranglers SUP by Merryn Jeann
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 13th March 2025
Lewis and Henry de Jong of Aotearoa/New Zealand Metal band Alien Weaponry talk to Riccardo about growing up on the road, working with Josh Wilbur, having Randy Blythe of Lamb of God guest on their new record and remembering to do the dishes amongst other things!
Review By: Riccardo Ball
Artist/Band: Slipknot SUP by Northlane
Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 11th March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: My Baby SUP by Ash Sales
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 6th March 2025
Riccardo Ball wraps up a quick 5 minutes with JJ Burnel of The Stranglers
ahead of their tour down-under this March.
Look-out for the full interview on The Metal Bar & Libel Music.
Review By: Riccardo Ball
Artist/Band: Jinjer Supported by Khadga
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Monday 3rd March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: The Narcs, Kim Willoughby, Diesel, OMD
Venue/City: Brewtown, Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
Date of Event: Sunday 2nd March 2025
Review By: Ginnelle Cocks
Show: SIX the musical
Venue/City: Civic Theatre Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 1st March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: M Ward Sup by Tom Cunliffe
Venue/City: Te Awanga Community Hall, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 28th February 2025
Review By: Collaborated Review by (ADTR - Steve Shyu), (Hatebreed - Riccardo Ball)
Artist/Band: A Day to Remember Supported by Hatebreed
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 25th February 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Distance, Myriad Drone Supported by Fvkvshima
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 22nd February 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Arahi (Presented by the small hall sessions)
Venue/City: King George Hall, Bay View, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 14th February 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Shihad (SUP by Jakob)
Venue/City: Black Barn, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 31st January 2025
Review By: Riccardo Ball
Artist/Band: Wardruna (SUP by Turongo Collective)
Venue/City: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 30th January 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Charm of Finches
Venue/City: Te Awanga Hall, Te Awing, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 29th January 2025
Photos By: Leoni Moreland
Artist/Band: The Jungle Giants Support by PARK RD
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event:Friday 2nd May 2025